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Sleep-wake pattern following gunshot suprachiasmatic damage
Lourdes M DelRosso1, Romy Hoque2, Stephanie James3
1Division of Sleep Medicine, Department of Neurology, Louisiana State University School of Medicine, Shreveport, LA ; Department of Family Medicine, Louisiana State University School of Medicine, Shreveport, LA.
Background:
The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) plays a critical role in maintaining melatonin and sleep-wake cycles.
Methods/Patient:
We report a case of 38-year-old woman who, after gunshot wound to the right temple, developed a sleep complaint of multiple nocturnal awakenings and several naps throughout the day.
Results:
Computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed bilateral optic nerve and optic chiasm damage. Diagnostic polysomnography and actigraphy revealed an irregular sleep wake rhythm.
Conclusions:
We speculate concurrent damage of the SCN and optic nerves bilaterally resulted in the posttraumatic irregular sleep-wake rhythm.
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